Basement finishing · Toronto & the GTA
Basement Finishing in Toronto & the GTA
Walls, ceilings, floors, lighting, a bathroom or a full second unit below grade, built by one team from our Thornhill office. The first visit to your home is free.
Photo: a media wall we built in a client’s home.
Same basement, two cities: when you need a permit
Toronto and Vaughan answer differently, so the address of the house decides the paperwork.
Sources: City of Toronto, when do I need a building permit · City of Vaughan, finishing a basement
Finishes from rooms we have built
Other rooms in client homes, not basements: the same ceiling, built-in and floor trades.
What we build in a basement
- Walls and ceilingsDrywall, plus bulkheads or dropped panels around ducts and beams.
- FloorsPlank, herringbone or tile, laid through the space.
- LightingPot lights, LED coves and backlit feature walls.
- BathroomShower, vanity and toilet, where the drains allow. See bathrooms.
- Built-insShelving, media walls and storage from our carpentry work.
Turning the basement into a second unit
Ontario allows a second unit in a house. This is what the province lists for one.
- Building permitRequired to add a second unit.
- Fire separation30 minutes between the units, and between each unit and common areas.
- Smoke alarmsInside the unit, meeting the CAN/ULC S531 standard.
- ExitsSafe exits; the rules depend on where the unit sits.
- ElectricalA separate electrical permit, and an ESA inspection of the work.
- ZoningYour city’s planning department says whether your lot may have one.
Alarms and wiring in any finished basement
- Smoke alarmRequired on every storey and outside all sleeping areas, so the basement needs its own.Ontario, fire safety at home
- Carbon monoxide alarmWith a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage: one next to each sleeping area and, from January 1, 2026, one on every storey.Ontario, carbon monoxide safety
- Who wires itA Licensed Electrical Contractor, who notifies the ESA before starting.ESA, working with general contractors
- After inspectionKeep the ESA Certificate of Acceptance for your insurer and a future sale.ESA, working with general contractors
Price
What changes the cost of a basement
We price after the free visit, from your layout and the work it needs.
- A bathroom
- New drain and supply lines, and a permit in both Toronto and Vaughan.
- A second unit
- Fire separation, exits, alarms and permits.
- Ducts and beams
- How many bulkheads the ceiling needs, and how low they sit.
- Floor
- Plank, herringbone or tile, and the area it covers.
- Lighting
- The number of pot lights, coves and new circuits.
Google reviews
“We were very pleased with the renovation of our basement in Richmond Hill, ON. Everything was done professionally, with quality and on time. I recommend this company.”
Roman Chornyi · basement renovation, Richmond Hill
Basement finishing questions
Do I need a permit to finish a basement in Toronto?
Not without new plumbing, structural change or a second unit. A bathroom or a basement apartment needs one.
Is it different in Vaughan?
Yes. Vaughan requires a building permit for finishing basement areas, and a separate permit for a secondary suite.
What does a legal basement apartment need?
A permit, a 30-minute fire separation, smoke alarms, safe exits, an ESA-inspected electrical permit, and zoning that allows it.
Does the basement need its own smoke alarm?
Yes: Ontario requires one on every storey.
Which areas do you serve?
Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Vaughan, Markham and Mississauga, from our office in Thornhill.
How do I book the free visit?
Call 437-667-2121 or send the form below; we reply within 24 hours.
Start here
Tell us about your basement
Call 437-667-2121, email info@artstyleconstruction.ca, or use the form. We can plan the first visit faster with:
- photos of the basement now, including the ceiling and the furnace area;
- whether you want a bathroom or a second unit;
- the city the house is in.
Send us a message
We reply within 24 hours — free, no-obligation consultation.